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Tuesday, July 1, 2008

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BHS principal accepts post in Brazil

By JODIE TWEED

Staff Writer

Erich Heise, Brainerd High School principal, is heading to Brazil.

Heise, who has served as BHS principal for the past two years and previously spent five years as assistant principal, has accepted a high school principal position at an international American school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro has about 700 students enrolled in preschool through 12th-grade, said Heise.

Heise, 37, who accepted the position last Thursday, has requested a two-year leave of absence at BHS, a request that will come before the school board at its July meeting. He will leave for Brazil at the end of July because the school year starts in early August there.

"It's really just a thrill," Heise said of his new job. "An opportunity like this doesn't come along very often. When I was offered the position I didn't hesitate. It's going to be exciting and I'm going to miss this place (BHS), the students and staff are second to none. But I couldn't pass this one up."

Erich Heise served two years as BHS principal.

The job opening came up unexpectedly after the previous principal decided to leave the position to live closer and help care for an ailing family member, said Heise. Heise learned of the vacancy on June 16, applied and was interviewed here by the school headmaster on June 25. He was offered the job after the interview.

Heise's family, including his wife Lois, and daughters, Katie, an eighth-grader, and Jackie, a seventh-grader, plan to join him on this two-year Brazilian adventure. His daughters will attend the private school tuition-free as one of the benefits of the job. Heise said he and his family plan to return during school breaks to the Brainerd lakes area, which they consider to be their home, during the next two years and will wait and see what happens after that.

"Our sitdown family chat consisted of, 'Let's do this for two years and then decide,'" said Heise. "It's fun having options and getting to see a bit of the world. It's just so exciting for all of us."

While Heise said he doesn't speak Portuguese, he is able to read the official language of Brazil. Heise is fluent in Spanish, having taught Spanish at Bemidji and Cass Lake-Bena high schools for a combined five years before leaving to work as an assistant principal at Willmar High School for two years. He was then hired at BHS in 2001. Heise said his dream has always been to work at an international school but he didn't think he'd ever get the opportunity.

"We're sad that Erich is leaving but we're happy for Erich and his family, that they get to take this unbelievable opportunity," said Brainerd Superintendent Steve Razidlo.

Razidlo said the district plans to fill Heise's position as quickly as possible. The job opening was to be listed Monday afternoon.

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.

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